Elastic fluid turbine



Aug, 23, 1932. J. H. DoRAN ELAsTIo FLUID TURBINE Filed Nov.' 15, 1930 4 0 f! nf H is Ati-,omweg 3, much more quickly than the outer parts.

Patented ug.v`2i3,

- 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;-

JOHN H. DORAN, OF SCOTILNEW YORK, ASSIGNOB 'ro GENERAL ELECTRC COMPANY,

A CORPORATION OF'NEW YORK.

ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE Appncmon med ANmmma- 15, naso. serial No. 4a5,955.

The present invention relates to elastic fluid turbines .and especially to those operating at high pressures of the order of 1200 ounds for example, with correspondingl iiigh temperatures. The casings for suc 1 turbines have to be of massive construction to withstand the high pressure, and furthermore must be provided with massive flanges on opposite sides thereof above yand below the plane of separation, and through which extend the bolts forclamping the halves of the Acasing together. The outer surface of the casing which may be and usually is lagged is exposed to room temperature while the inner surface of the casing and also the interior working parts are exposed to high temperature operating fluid of which steam is an example. Due to the fact that the inner and outer parts are exposed to different temperatures, -to the -fact thatv the inner or interior parts heat up more quickly than the Outer part o'r casing, and to the fact that the mas'- sive bolting flanges on the'casing tend to cause unequal expanslon in different parts thereof, the problem is presented of providing means which will hold the working parts in concentric relation While permitting of unequal expansion, particularly in vstarting when the inner parts attain a high temperature very The object of m invention is the provision in an elasticuid turbine of improved means `which permit the workingparts to expand and contract at will while maintaining their proper concentric relation and clearances.`

For a consideration of what'I believe to ybe novel and my invention, reference ishad to the accompanying description and the'claims appended thereto.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 isa vertical, crossseetion showing the manner i-nwhich the diaphra ms and their supporting casing are mounte Fig. 2 is a sectionalong the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the '.wise split in the horizontal plane of its axis move in response to temperature changes.

anges arrows; Fig. 3 is a section along the line3-3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic sketch illustratin the action of the parts under temperature c anges.

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates the turbine casing which is-shown as splitin the horizontal plane of its axis to form upper and lower halves, the respective `halves being formed with massive flanges 6 extending lengthwise of the casing to receive bolts 7 for fastening them Atogether. As before indicatedthese angeson account of their large mass tend to cause unequal expansion of different parts of the casing', and especially in starting the turbine into o eration as they heat more slowly than the ot er parts. Within the turbine casing 5, and spaced therefrom is a second or inner casing 8, which is liketo form upper and lower halves. Both the inner and outer wallsl of this casing are exposed to steam having the same or approximately the same temperatures, and because of that fact heat up more quickly than the outer casing which Ais exposed to steam on one side only. In the space between the casings are supporting or spacerblocks 9 for the inner casing.l 'These blocks are inserted between the casings along the horizontal axis thereof and are secured tothe casings by ins 10. These pins also prevent rotation op the inner casin in case of rubbing of the bucket wheels. T e horizontal edges of the inner casing are thus rigidly secured to the outer casing and are prevented from moving relativelyv thereto. In other words, the inner casing is supported at two diametrically opposite points, all lother parts being free tO AsV above pointed out the massiveV of the outer casin do not heat up as quickly as the other and t inner parts, and since the supporting means or blocks are in line therewith it follows thatthe inner casing cannot expand equally and radially in all directions. ring 8a However, by a suitable selection ofthe metal for the inner casing and of its cross-section with suitable clearances at all points beyond the supporting means, the expansion can still take place but the enlargement due to said action takes place largely in a' direction perpendicular to its horizontal support. As a result of this the wall of the inner casing' when initially leated, instead of being truly cylindrical as when cold, has a greater diameter in a vertical plane passin through the axis ofthe. shaft. 'Io state t e matter in another way, since the expansion of the inner casing due to increase of temperature is inherent in any such structure, means are provided whereby said expansion is confined to certain regions or parts which will not alect the desired concentric relation of the relatively movable parts within the outer casing.

The turbine shaft 11 ha's mounted thereon wheels 12 carrying radial buckets 13. Intermediate the bucket carrying wheels are the usual diaphragme 14 carrying nozzles 15 through which the elastic fluid 1s discharged against the buckets. The diaphragms being within the inner casing are subjected to hot I steam on both sides and hence heat up more the side Walls of the grooves.

` steam from flowing between the two casings thus shunting the diaphragms and uickly than the outer casing and at much t e same rate as the inner casing. To ensure uniform expansion as nearl as possible the sections of the metal of sai parts are made as nearly equal as possible.y It is necessary to maintain the axes of these diaphragms coincident with that of the shaft to prevent rubbing. The diaphragms are formed as upper and lower halves corresponding to the halves of the casinfs, being split as indicated at 16. On the shat 11 are packing members 17 which cooperate with packing members 18 Carried by the diaphragms.

The inner casing 8 isformed with spaced annular rooves 19, Fig. 2, in which are supported t e diaphragms. In the periphery of each of the diaphragms is formed a pluralit of sockets 20 in which are rigidly secured radially disposed pins 21. These pins are supported in the diaphragms at points which are at ap roximately 45 to the axis of the 'driving s aft, the reasons for which will be explained more fully later on. The

tips of the pins project slightl above the peripheral surfaces of the diap ragms and abut the inner wall of the inner casing, thereb leaving a clearance 22 between each diap ragm and the inner casing. It is there-v oreV apparentthat'the pins form means by which t e weight of the diaphragms is supported by thev inner casing, the pressure thereon due to steam pressure being taken by To prevent buckets, the inner casing is provided with a which is located in an annular groove aformed in the outer casing. Between the periphery of the ring and the bottom of the groove is a clearance 5b whose radial depth v is greater than the movement of any part of the casing due to expansion.

Along the horizontal joint the edges of the inner casing 8 are provided with horizontally projecting pins 23 adapted to engage shoulders 24 formed in the peripheries ot the upper halves of the diaphragms. These pins function to prevent relative rotation between the diaphragms and the casing 8 and permit of the upper parts of the diaphragms being lifted with the upper halves of the casings.

The foregoing arrangement of parts serves to allow the casing 8 and the diaphragms supported thereb to expand and contract freely while `at tiie same time maintaining the diaphragms properly centered relative -to the driving shaft, as' will be seen more particularly by reference to Fig. 4, in which the movement of the parts has been greatly exaggerated for the purpose of illustration. In this connection it must be borne in mnid that the diaphragms will expand and contract radially and that this cannot be prevented. The line A represents the lower half of the diaphragm supporting casing 8. While only the lower half of the casing is shown it will be undestood that the following explanation applies equally to the upper l ing follows with the result that the casing A becomes slightly eliptical with its maj or axis in a vertical plane. This is permitted by the clearance between the two casings below the supporting blocks.V At the same time the inner casing is being deformed the diaphragm is expanding radially in all direcltions. This isv permitted by reason of the clearance between its periphery andthe bottom wall of the annular groove in the inner casing, and particularly because of the radial clearance in line with the supporting blocks and massive flanges of the outer casing. The amount that the inner casing is deformed varies of course with the temperature of the steam. In some instances of which I have knowledge the vertical dimension or major mit ' 45 with respect to the horizontal plane of e to the shaft.

suming that the total unrestrained expansion to full line A to dotted line B, then the point of intersection of line B with the ydotted line C, representing the same wall when deformed by reason of its supports, will give the proper location for the diaphragm supporting pins 21 and actual experiences as well as theory show that these two lines cross at angles of division of the casing. This means that when the pins arey so placed they will follow the outward deformingmovement of the inner casing as the parts expand and thus maintain contact with the wall and hold the di? aphragm in its central position with respect As the outer casing gradually expands and the bolting flanges become heated in the course of operation of the turbine, the supporting blocks of the inner casing ing e side pressure'in the inner casing and the latter then assumes a cylindrical or more nearly cylindrical shape, the supporting pins 21 on the diaphragms maintaining their contact with the adjacent wall of the casing at all times.

To state the matter another way, the only portions of the casingwhich in its outward and inward movements due to expansion and y contraction which follow truly radial planes are those located at '45 with res ect tora horizontal plane passing through t e axis of thetshaft and diaphragms, and for that reason `the pins 21 are so located as to register with said planes. l

Another and important advantage of my improved construction is that it in no way interferes with the assembly. With the parts of-the two casings open and the shaft and its wheels in place the half diaphragme can be mounted in place by a turning movement thereof, the pins 21 merely sliding in the grooves in the casing.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: 1. In a turbine, the combination of a rotor, spaced outer and inner tubular casings, means for holding the inner casing fixed with respect to the outer casing at two diametrically opposite points to confine its maximum expansion to a plane perpendicular to said points, a member carried by the inner casing which is free to expand radially in all directions, and through which motive fluid iowsto the rotor, and angularly spaced portions of said wall which with respect to their radial expansion are not affected by the provision Vof said first named means.

lwill gradually move outward thereby .reliev 2.A In a turbine, the combination of a rotor, spaced outer and inner tubular casings, the axes of which are to be maintained coincident under temperature changes, the inner casing responding more quickly to temperature changes than the outer casing, means carried by the outer casing for supporting and restrainin from substantially. relative that as it ex ands it is compelled to assume an elliptical orm with its major axis perpen dicular to the plane of the supports,.a cylindrical member located inside of the inner cas-j ing, which expands uniformly and radially, and devices located between .the periphery of the member and the adjacentwall of the inner casing, said devices contacting, -with the casing and being angularly and equally spaced, each of said devices occupying a position that it will follow and maintain posi-v tive engagement with the inner casing under all conditions.

3. In a turbine, the combination of a rotor, outer and inner tubular casings the axes of ywhich are to be maintained coincident with mately above and below a plane passing through said diametrically opposite points and located between the periphery of the dia! phragm and the adjacent wall of the inner casing, said means maintaining engagement with the inner casing as the latter is deformed 'by its supports due to changes of temperature.

4. In a turbine, the combination of outer and inner tubular casings which are concen# .movement the inner casing at two points so y sov tric when cold and are spaced apart to form a passage for elastic fluid to heat'the inner casing, both of said casings being divided into halves in a horizontal plane, means car-v ried by the outer casing for supporting the inner casing at two diametrically opposite points preventing substantially relative movement between the casings at these points and permitting the other parts thereof to move without restraint under changes of temperature, a plurality of nozzle diaphragme carried bythe inner casing, a rotor having rows of buckets acted upon by the iluid is.

suing from the nozzles of the diaphragms, and means for separately supporting each of the diaphragms located between the periphery thereof and the adjacent wall of the inner casing, each of said means being spaced approximately 45-a'bove and below a horizontal plane passing through the axes of the ,phragms in said casing comprislng pins sey mately 45 cured to said diaphragms and projecting p therefrom, said pins resting against said casing and being positioned in said diaphragms in planes Whlch are at an angle of approxito a horizontal plane through the shaft.

6. In an elastic fiuid turbine, a shaft, bucket carrying wheels affixed to said shaft nozzle 'diaphragms associated with said wheels, a casing .for the diaphragms, supporting means interposed between said diaphragms and said casing, said supporting means bein disposed in planes which are at an an le o about 45 to a horizontal plane throug said shaft, and means for securing said casing in the horizontal plane of its axis to prevent radi al expansion thereof in said plane;

7. In combination, a shaft, bucket carrying wheels aflixed thereto, nozzle carrying diaphragms between said wheels, a casing supporting said diaphragms, supporting members interposed ,between sald diaphragms and said casing in planes at 45 to a horizontal plane through the shaft, an outer casing concentric with said rst named casing but spaced therefrom, and means interposed between said casings along the horizontal plane thereof for securing said casings a horizontal plane surrounding the inner casing, and spacing means between the casings c'omprising cylindrical segments located near the horizontal plane through the shaft and pins extending through holes in said cylindrical segments and the outer and innerV together whereby movement of saidfirst mentioned casing relative to said second mentioned casing is prevented, said means comprising caslngs. v

8. I n an elastic Huid turbine, an outer casing comprising two halves having massive bolting flanges, an inner casing, means for securing the inner casing in spaced relation to the outer casing located near the dividing spacer blocks secured to both of said I plane of the two outer half casings, diaphragms located in the inner casing, and

spacing means between the diaphragms and the inner casing positioned at an les ofthe orderof 45 with respect to sai dividing plane whereby said last named spacing meanslmaintain a constant engagement between `said diaphragms and theinner casing.

9. In an elastic fluid turbine, a rotor comprising a shaft and bucket wheels fastenedI to the shaft, daphra s interposed between the bucket wheels,

an inner casing having an-` nular grooves to support the diaphragms,

spacing means provided at angles of the order of 45 with res ect to a horizontal plane through the sha t betweenthe inner casmg and the fliaphragms to permit of relative movement between them, an outer casing comprising two halves bolted together in 

